The Week in Review: December.13th – December.20th


The death toll for the November Protests in Iran rose to 304, according to Amnesty International’s latest research. Meanwhile, the Iranian government still won’t publish official figures on the numbers of injured and dead protesters.

Despite a slow start, the international community began to react to the November protests in Iran, with politicians across the world demanding that the Iranian government be held accountable for its actions.

The U.S. re-designated Iran, and eight other states, “Countries of Particular Concern,” on December 20, for violating citizens’ religious freedoms.

A Resolution in the European Parliament launched by Charlie Weimers MEP, calling on Iran to respect international law and asking the EU to set up an independent inquiry into the use of lethal force during the protests was approved this week.

The Resolution follows a strikingly similar Bill launched by lawmakers in the U.S. Congress several days earlier. The German Parliament also passed a motion of its own, urging Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government to ban Iran-backed Hezbollah from conducting its business in Germany.

In addition to these Resolutions, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a formal message to the Iranian government on December 19, asking officials to respect the human rights of Iranians inside the country. Pompeo denounced the use of violence by Iran’s security forces during the protests and asked Iran’s leaders to listen to Iranians’ concerns.

Sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department on two of Iran’s judges for their part in the violent crackdown on protesters in Iran were announced on December 19. Abolghassem Salavati and Mohammad Moghisseh have been accused of gross miscarriages of justice during the demonstrations, including disproportionate prison terms and executions.

Further sanctions were approved against Iran by U.S. Senate lawmakers. The sanctions are extensive, and target mercenary groups contracted by Iran, as well as Russian and Syrian military bodies.

  • Sherry Izadi, the wife of detained British dual national Anoosheh Ashoori, asked the UK government to appoint an independent negotiator to liaise with Iran.
    →  Link to source
  • Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of jailed dual national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe marched to Downing Street to ask for more robust action on his wife’s release.
    → Link to source
  • Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, faced uncomfortable questions about the large number of sexual assault complaints made against his U.S. drivers.
    → Link to source.
  • Tehran is the sixth most polluted city in the world, but that won’t come as a surprise to its inhabitants.
    → Link to source.